Sherman won’t address SEC even after official announcement

COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M is down to one prominent voice that has not spoken on the Aggies’ historic shift to the Southeastern Conference – and from this point forward it’s arguably the most important voice considering Aggies’ passion for football.

Coach Mike Sherman on Monday declined to address the big-picture aspect of the move to the SEC, although a week earlier he had promised he’d talk about it at length once A&M president R. Bowen Loftin made the announcement official.

It’s official – the Aggies threw a big party in the Zone Club a week ago, complete with SEC commissioner Mike Slive – but still nothing from Sherman. Considering he’s .500 as a Big 12 member (21-21), there might be plenty of reason for any perceived timidity on his part about competing in the nation’s best football conference.

(A&M also reiterated to me that the move to the SEC wasn’t all about football, but my perspective is from what 95 percent of fans and media show up to Aggieland for).

It also doesn’t help that Sherman’s program is coming off two of the biggest gags in school history in successive weeks, in blowing a 17-point halftime lead to Oklahoma State and an 18-point halftime lead to future SEC foe Arkansas, so I’m guessing those aided his going back on his word and not addressing the move. Sherman is 0-5 against the SEC over four seasons.

A few notes from Monday’s weekly press conference, with Texas Tech at hand starting 6 p.m. Saturday in Lubbock:

* Sherman said defensive end Jonathan Mathis is out for the season with a leg injury. The Aggies will apply for a medical redshirt for the senior. Ben Bass is scheduled to earn his second consecutive start in Mathis’s place at Tech.

* Strong safety Steven Campbell (leg) is expected back in a “couple of weeks,” Sherman said, after Campbell missed the 42-38 Arkansas loss.

* I had flashbacks to the Dennis Franchione era today, with discussions of a coach punting on fourth and short in crucial situations, spirit bracelets and the coach turning questions back on reporters, a Franchione specialty. Franchione was 22-20 through his first 42 games, one up on Sherman to this point.

* Defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter said “all jobs are open” as the Aggies continue searching for answers on that side of the ball. A&M is ranked last nationally – 120th – in pass defense with another passing team at hand Saturday in the Red Raiders.